Tank car container



Aug. 16, 1955 R. A. SHIELDS TANK CAR CONTAINER Filed June 7, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 16, 1955 R. A. SHIELDS TANK CAR CONTAINER 2 SheetsSheet 2 Filed June 7, 195-0 INVENTOR United States Patent Ofitice.

2,715,549 Patented Aug. 16, 1955 TANK CAR CONTAINER Robert A. Shields, Bloomsburg, P2,, assignor to ACF Industries Incorporated, a corporation of New Jersey Application June 7, 1950, Serial No. 166,756

14 Claims. (Cl. 30252) This invention relates to tank cars in general and in particular to tank cars for the bulk shipment of loose commodities preferably of the pulverulent or granular type. The main tonnage of finely divided materials is now handled by shipment in small bags of either the paper or cloth type. Such shipments require excessive cost in handling and in the case of food stuffs in greater danger of contamination due to material adhering to the outside of the bag and falling off at the time the bag is emptied. It is an object, therefore, of the present invention to provide a container of the tank car type in which large tonnages of loose commodities may be shipped without danger of contamination.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a tank car for the shipment of loose commodities which is so constructed and equipped as to permit complete discharge of the contents by air or other suitable matter which is fluid or, in other words, capable of flow under pressure.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a tank car having a substantially smooth interior along vhich the lading may move toward the bottom for movement to a discharge outlet.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a tank car which may be readily modified for shipment of loose commodities.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparcut to persons skilled in the art from a study of the following description and accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the improved tank car with the tank shell and underframe being shown in phantom by line and dash to better disclose the invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view through the side P p Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the improved valves;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 4, and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 4 but showing a slight modification thereof.

Referring now to the drawings in detail it will be seen that the tank of conventional form is formed by cylindrical shell 2 closed by ends 4 and mounted on an underframe 6 carried by trucks 8 for travel along rails or other supporting means. The tank will be filled through one or more inlet openings arranged in one or more domes 10 and will be discharged through an outlet 12, which outlet can be connected by means of a flexible boot or other device to any suitable conveying system of either the mechanical or air activated type.

Welded or otherwise secured to the outer surface of the shell 2 is a pair of longitudinally extending half pipes 14. These half pipes are attached to the tank shell preferably at or above the point of tangency of diverging planes making an angle of forty-five degrees with the horizontal. Adjacent the ends of the half pipes 14 a plurality of holes 16 are drilled or burned in the tank shell so that air or other pressure medium may flow through the tank shell and into the ends of angles 18 welded or otherwise secured to the tank shell on the interior thereof. These angles are preferably of the unequal leg type, having the longer leg directed upwardly and the shorter leg directed outwardly toward the tank shell. The upwardly directed long leg is preferably continuously welded as at 20 to the tank shell, while the outwardly directed short leg is only welded at spaced intervals and with merely suflicient weld to prevent its breaking loose and vibrating. By this arrangement a sheet of air or other pressure material can be directed downwardly along the tank shell interior. In order to increase this downward flow of air the outwardly turned short leg may have its edge scalloped as at 22. in some cases it may also be found desirable to torch burn the outer edge of the short leg so that it will be very rough, thus providing a plurality of fine jets more evenly distributed than can normally be obtained by the larger openings as disclosed at 22. However, whether the edge be drilled, burned or otherwise formed it would still provide a scalloped edge which, like the plain edge, will give substantially a sheet of air or other pressure fluid or matter directed downwardly along the inside of the tank shell. Adjacent the center of the tank stub pipes 24 are welded to the tank interior and to the inner ends of angle members 13. The tank shell is also pierced in line with these stub pipes 24 and the stub pipes intersect and are welded to the half pipes 14. In line with the stub pipes 24 short connecting pipes 26 are welded or otherwise secured and extend outwardly to terminate in a flanged end 28 which may be either capped or connected to a supply of air or sirnilar pressure fluid. The inner ends of stub pipes 24 are flanged as at 30 and are adapted to be bolted or otherwise secured to flanges 32 of a transverse pipe 34. Extending downwardly from the center of the cross pipe 34 is a main discharge nozzle 36 which is centered with respect to the discharge outlet 12. In order to aid the main discharge nozzle, auxiliary nozzles 38 may be tapped either into the main nozzle stem or into the pipe 3 5- and likewise have their ends directed downwardly and into discharge outlet 12.

From one of more of the exterior stub pipes 26 a pipe 46 extends downwardly and inwardly to a T-connection 42 from which branch pipes 44 extend inwardly and upwardly for connection with pan-like structures 46. These pan-like structures extend substantially from the end of the tank to the discharge outlet and have their upper edges or flanges 48 welded or otherwise secured to the exterior of the tank shell. The ends of these channel form members are closed by end plates 50 welded or otherwise secured to the channel form and to the tank shell, thereby forming with the tank shell a closed box connected to the pipe 44. On the bottom of the tank immediately above these closed box members a plurality of holes 52 are drilled, punched or otherwise made through the tank shell so that air or other pressure fluid entering the box-like members may escape into the tank.

In order to prevent the lading from entering the boxlike structures, the flap valves 54 are preferably attached to the tank shell on the inner surface thereof. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5 these flap valves are preferably made of a resilient material 56, to the lower surface of which is vulcanized or otherwise attached a metal plate 58, thus preventing the lading from forcing the resilient material downwardly into the holes 52. The resilient material is preferably held in place by a frame of Z cross-section, with the outstanding flanges spot welded or otherwise secured to the tank interior. The frame is attached to the tank interior on the side of the holes 52 away from the outlet 12 so that the free edge of the resilient member is directed toward the outlet.

In the form shown in Fig. 6 the flap valve 54 is made of light gauge sheet steel spot welded or otherwise secured as at 62 and on the side of the hole remote from the outlet, thus the free edge of this flexible steel plate will be directed toward the discharge outlet 12.

Since some of the ladihg may tend to remain in the Air or other pressure material may be fed into the discharge piping through either of the stub pipes 26 and flow directly into the half pipes and angles on that side of the tank and through cross pipe 34 into the half pipes and angles on the opposite side of the tank. Air or' other pressure fluid will also flow downwardly through i pipe 40 into pipes .44 and the closed box structure 46.

' Air or other pressure fluid in angles 18 will discharge downwardly in a sheet along the tank shell, while the air in cross pipe 34 will cause main nozzle 36 and auxiliary nozzles 38, where used, to discharge downwardly directly into the outlet opening. The air or other pressure material entering box 46 will escape under flap 'valves 54 and be directed in opposed directions towards .the discharge outlet 12. Any material which tends to remain in the lower radius at the ends will be blown out by curved pipes 66 and nozzles 68 to a position where the jets or fans of air escaping under flap valves '54 can pick up the lading and move it toward the discharge outlet. By properly proportioning the size and number of end openings 16 it will be possible to maintain substantially equal pressure throughout the length ,of the angles 18, thus giving better operation for moving the material downwardly toward the bottom of the tank and also out of the corner radii. It is to be noted that the unequal angles 18 are so arranged that lading can not adhere to the upper surfaces and the openings at the bottom edge are so positioned that lading will not bounce upwardly into the triangular pipes formed by the shell and angles. Also, by use of the flap valves lading cannot gain entry to the box structure 46.

While the invention has been described more or less in detail with specific'reference to the drawings, it is obvious that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. What is claimed is: V

1. In a railway car, a cylindrically curved shell, ends closing the shell and forming a horizontally elongated body, a discharge outlet in 'the lower'portion of the shell,

coextensive means secured to the interior and exterior surfaces of the shell and'togethe'r forming a single'c'onfirst conduit means directly secured to the shell above. the lower portion thereof, second conduit means directly a secured to and formed in part by the lowermost portion of'the shell at opposite sides of the discharge outlet, means connecting said conduits together to receive fluid under pressure, said first and second conduit means having openings therein directed to discharge fluid under pressure in a direction toward said' discharge outlet.

4. In a railway car, a cylindrically curved shell, ends closing the shell and forming a horizontally elongated body, a discharge outlet in the lower portion of the shell, first conduit means directly secured. to the shell above the lower portion thereof, second conduit means directly secured to and formed in part by the lowermost portion of the shell at' opposite sidesof the discharge outlet, supply means to supply fluidunder pressure to said conduits, said first conduit having openings therein directed to discharge fluid under pressure downwardly along the shell interior, and said second conduit having openings therein a directed to discharge fluid toward the. discharge outlet.

5. in a railway car, a cylindrically curved shell, ends closing the shell and forming a'horizontally elongated 7 body, a discharge outlet in the lower portion of the shell,

duit'divided interiorly by said shell, passageways through the shell within the conduit, said means secured to theinterior of the shell having openings therein whereby fluid under pressure may escape from the conduit.

'2. In a railway car, a cylindrically curved shell, ends closing the shell and forming a horizontally elongated body,"a discharge outlet in the lower portion of the shell,

coextensive means secured to the interior and exterior surfaces of the shell and together forming a single conduit divided interiorly by said shell, passageways through the shell within the conduit, said means secured to the 7 interior of the shell having openin s therein whereby fluid under pressure may escape from the conduit, said.

r 3. In a railway car, a cylindrically curved shell, ends closing the shell and forming a horizontally elongated body, a discharge outlet in the lower portion of the shell,

first conduit means secured to the shell above the lower portion thereof, second conduit means secured to and formed in part by the lowermost portion of the shell, supply means to supply fluid under pressure to said conduits, said first conduit having openings therefrom directed to discharge'fiuid' underpressure downwardly along the shell interior, said second conduit having openings therefrom through said lowermost portion of the shell directed to discharge ,fiuid toward the discharge outlet, and flap valves secured to said shell portion and covering the openings in said second conduit to prevent flow of material from the body into" said conduit.

6. in a railway car, a cylindrically curved shell, ends closing the shell and forming ahorizontall'y elongated body, a discharge outlet in the lower portion of the shell, first conduit means directly secured to the shell above the lower portion thereof, second conduit means directly secured to and formed in part by the lowermost portion of the shell at opposite sides of the discharge outlet, supply means to supply fluid under pressure to said conduits, said first conduit having openings therein directed to discharge fluid under pressure. downwardly along the shell interior, said second conduit having openings therein directed to discharge matter toward the discharge outlet, and 'jet means connected to said supply means and directed downwardly into said discharge outlet.

7. In a railway car, a cylindrically curved shell, ends welded to the exterior surface thereof above the lower portion of the body, an angle substantially coextensive with said ball? pipe and weldedto the interior surface of the shell and together with said, half pipe forming a conduit, openingsin the lower portion of the angle adjacent its lower point of attachment to the shell, and means to supply fiuid under pressure to said conduit.

8. in a railway car, a cylindrically curved shell, ends closing the-shell and forming a horizontally elongated body, a discharge outlet in the lower portion of the shell, a halt pipe extending longitudinally of the shell and welded to the exterior surface thereof abovethe lower portion of the body, an angle substantially coextensive withsaid half; pipe and welded to the interior surface of the shell and together with said half pipe forming a conduit to conduct fluid under pressure, spaced openings in the lower portion of the angle adjacent its lower point 1 of attachment to the shell, means to supply fluid under;

pressure to said half pipe and angle, and passages through said shell within the conduit and adjacent the ends where by fluid may flow between the half pipe and angle.

9. In arailway car, a cylindrically curved shell, ends closing the shell and forming a horizontally elongated body, a discharge outlet in the lower portion of the shell, a half pipe extending longitudinally along each side of the shell and from adjacent the center to the end of the body, said half pipes being welded to the exterior surface of the shell, angles substantially coextensive with said half pipes and welded to the interior surface of the shell to form with said shell and half pipes a plurality of conduits, means connecting said conduits adjacent the transverse central plane of the body and adapted to supply fluid under pressure to the conduits, openings in the lower portions of said angles and adapted to discharge fluid downwardly along the shell interior for escape through the discharge outlet, and passageways through the shell adjacent the body ends and within the conduits to equalize pressure between the half pipes and angles.

10. In a railway car, a cylindrically curved shell, ends closing the shell and forming a horizontally elongated body, a discharge outlet in the lower portion of the shell, 2. half pipe extending longitudinally along each side of the shell and from adjacent the center to the end of the body, said half pipes being welded to the exterior surface of the shell, angles substantially coextensive with said half pipes and welded to the interior surface of the shell to form with said shell and half pipes a plurality of conduits, means connecting said conduits adjacent the transverse central plane of the body and adapted to supply fluid under pressure to the conduits, openings in the lower portions of said angles and adapted to discharge fluid downwardly along the shell interior for escape through the discharge outlet, upwardly directed channel members welded to the shell exterior on either side of the discharge outlet, means to supply fluid under pressure to said channel members, and openings through said shell into said channel members and adapted to direct fluid under pressure toward said discharge outlet.

11. In a railway car, a cylindrically curved shell, ends closing the shell and forming a horizontally elongated body, a discharge outlet in the lower portion of the shell located substantially centrally between said ends, upwardly directed channels welded to and formed in part by the exterior surface of the shell extending from adjacent opposite sides of the outlet to the ends of the body, means to supply fluid under pressure to the channels, and means to conduct fluid under pressure from the channels through the shell and to direct the fluid under pressure upwardly and inwardly toward the centrally located discharge outlet.

12. In a railway car, a cylindrically curved shell, ends closing the shell and forming a horizontally elongated body, a discharge outlet in the lower portion of the shell located substantially centrally between said ends, upwardly directed channels welded to and formed in part by the exterior surface of the shell extending from adjacent opposite sides of the outlet to the ends of the body, means to supply fluid under pressure to the channels, means to conduct fluid under pressure from the channels through the shell and to direct the fluid under pressure upwardly and inwardly toward the discharge outlet, and jet means connected to the supply means and adapted to direct fluid under pressure downwardly into said discharge outlet.

13. In a railway car, a cylindrically curved shell, ends closing the shell and forming a horizontally elongated body, a discharge outlet in the lower portion of the shell located substantially centrally between said ends, upwardly directed channels welded to and formed in part by the exterior surface of the shell extending from adjacent opposite sides of the outlet to the ends of the body, means to supply fluid under pressure to the channels, said shell having openings therethrough connecting the channels and body interior, and flap valves secured to the shell interior above said openings and adapted to direct fluid under pressure upwardly and inwardly toward the centrally located discharge outlet.

14. In a railway car, a cylindrically curved shell, ends closing the shell and forming a horizontally elongated body, a discharge outlet in the lower portion of the shell located substantially centrally between said ends, upwardly directed channels welded to and formed in part by the exterior surface of the shell extending from adjacent opposite sides of the outlet to the ends of the body, means to supply fluid under pressure to the channels, said shell having openings therethrough connecting the channels and body interior, and flap valves secured to the shell interior above said openings and adapted to direct fluid under pressure upwardly and inwardly toward the centrally located discharge outlet, said flap valves normally contacting the shell to close said openings and including rigid portions preventing pressure of material within the body flowing into said channels.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 11,548 Dodge June 23, 1896 1,029,273 Butler June 11, 1912 1,390,974 Von Porat Sept. 13, 1921 1,971,852 Goebels Aug. 28, 1934 2,274,708 Kennedy Mar. 3, 1942 2,460,546 Stephanofl? Feb. 1, 1949 2,580,215 Bozich Dec. 25, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 418,477 Germany Sept. 9, 1925 325,544 Great Britain Feb. 21, 1930 

